Firing Room Row AA

Console Row AA -- KSC/NASA

Positions AA1, AA1A -- Kennedy Space Center.NASA Public Affairs provides launch
commentary to the public beginning at around five hours before launch and continuing until
liftoff. Once the Shuttle has lifted off the pad, public affairs commentary switches from
Kennedy to Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center, Houston.

AA2 -- Director of Payload Operations (call sign PD). The top-ranking KSC/NASA official
responsible for management and technical direction of preflight checkout and integration of
Space Shuttle and expendable launch vehicle payloads and payload carriers. Conducts
own management poll to verify payloads are ready to fly prior to
participating in formal polling process conducted during final built-in hold.

AA5 -- Launch Director (call sign LD). The senior member of the Shuttle launch team, the
Launch Director has overall responsibility for management of launch activities and makes
the final determination to launch or scrub. The Launch Director is a member of the Mission
Management Team.

AA6 -- Flow Director. The flow director oversees the preflight preparation, test and
checkout of the orbiter from landing to launch. During the launch countdown, the great
familiarity this individual has with all elements of the Shuttle is available to the launch
team.